Reader-filler machine for microfiche jackets

ABSTRACT

A reader-filler machine adapted to insert sections of microfilm into selected chambers of a multi-chamber microfiche jacket, each chamber having an entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket. The jacket to be loaded is placed on the inclined platform of a carriage that is shiftable stepwise in a path at right angles with respect to a film trackway. A retractable pusher is disposed at a position parallel to the trackway so that when the trackway is aligned with a particular chamber preparatory to film insertion, the pusher is then in registration with the adjacent chamber and when after the inserted film section is severed from the film on the trackway and the platform is indexed, the tail end of the cut film section which lies outside the entry slot is then aligned with the pusher which acts to push the tail end into the chamber to complete the insertion. The platform is provided with a retractable clamp which, when operative, engages the jacket to deflect the front end thereof downwardly in order to more effectively expose the entry slots and thereby facilitate the insertion of very thin film. The deflection of the jacket front end also serves to free the tail end of the cut film whereby the tail end is readily engaged by the pusher.

United States Patent [1 1 Dorman Mar. 25, 1975 READER-FILLER MACHINE FOR MICROFICHE JACKETS [75] Inventor: lsidore Dorman, Whitestone, NY.

[73] Assignee: NB Jackets Company, a Division of Bell & Howell Company, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 450,399

[52] US. Cl 53/123, 53/187, 53/384 [51] Int. Cl B65b 43/26 [58] Field of Search 53/123, 187, 384; 40/159 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1962 Heckman 53/123 5/1966 Engelstein 53/123 Primary Evaminer-Travis S. McGehee [57] ABSTRACT A reader-filler machine adapted to insert sections of microfilm into selected chambers of a multi-chamber microfiche jacket, each chamber having an entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket. The jacket to be loaded is placed on the inclined platform of a carriage that is shiftable stepwise in a path at right angles with respect to a film trackway. A retractable pusher is disposed at a position parallel to the trackway so that when the trackway is aligned with a particular chamber preparatory to film insertion, the pusher is then in registration with the adjacent chamber and when after the inserted film section is severed from the film on the trackway and the platform is indexed, the tail end of the cut film section which lies outside the entry slot is then aligned with the pusher which acts to push the tail end into the chamber to complete the insertion. The platform is provided with a retractable clamp which, when operative, engages the jacket to deflect the front end thereof downwardly in order to more effectively expose the entry slots and thereby facilitate the insertion of very thin film. The deflection of the jacket front end also serves to free the tail end of the cut film whereby the tail end is readily engaged by the pusher.

15 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATH-HEB MAR 2 51975 sum 8 or a;

1 READER-FILLER MACHINE FOR MICROFICHE JACKETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a reader-filler machine for filling microfiche jackets with microfilm strips whose images are optically verified before insertion,

and more particularly to a machine adapted to insert' very thin microfilm into a microfiche jacket.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,655, entitled Microfiche Master discloses a microfiche master composed of a transparent jacket formed by two plastic panels laminated together by ribs which are spaced to define a series of chambers adapted to accomodate microfilm frames. The loaded, multi-chambered jacket functions as a microfiche master from which reference copies may be made. This is effected by contact-printing through the front panel which is quite thin, the back panel being thicker to impart body to the jacket. Such microfiche of the platform. In operation, a section ofthe film constituted by one or more microfilm frames is advanced into a selected chamber and the trailing edge ofthe section is severed. The platform is then indexed to the next chamber position for a new insertion.

To facilitate insertion of film strips, the microfiche jacket is provided with entry slots adjacent the front ends of the chambers, thereby making it possible to insert the film laterally at an angle to the plane of the jacket rather than in an endwise direction which entails exact co-planar alignment of the film with the jacket. Since a flexible film has a tenedency to curl, the advantage of angular insertion is that the angle of insertion is not critical, for the film entering the slot then bends inwardly into the chamber and is admitted without difficulty. This is the reason why the platform on which the jacket is supported is inclined relative to the film trackway.

The film section is sliced at a point directly adjacent the edge of the jacket. Since the slot through which the film enters the chamber is displaced from this edge, the cut section is not fully inserted and a short tail thereof remains exposed. If a subsequent insertion is to be made in the same chamber, the tail is objectionable for it prevents a new insertion. Thus it becomes necessary to employ a pusher element to clear the slot and' thereby complete the insertion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,697 discloses a reader-filler machine which verifies the microfilm image before insertion in the jacket, the machine automaticaly cycling to carry out the successive functions of film cutting, jacket indexing and slot clearing, the latter function being carried out by a pusher element.

In the machine described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,697, the microfiche jacket to be filled is supported on a carriage having an inclined platform which is shiftable stepwise in a path at right angles with respect to a film trackway. A pusher element is disposed in parallel relation to the trackway whereby when the trackway is aligned with a selected chamber in the microfiche jacket, the pusher element is then in registration with the directly adjacent chamber. A film slicer is interposed between the platform and the trackway and serves to cut the inserted portion of the film from the film lying on the trackway.

The arrangement is such that after a predetermined section of the film is advanced by the operator along the trackway into a given chamber, the operator presses a switch to initiate an automatic three-phase cycle wherein: first, the slicer is actuated to sever the inserted section from the filmwhereby the tail of the severed section extends outside of the chamber-entry slot; second, the platform is indexed to shift the given chamber into alignment with the pusher element, and at the same time to bring the adjacent chamber into alignment with the trackway in readiness for the next insertion; and third, the pusher element is actuated to engage the extending tailof the film section and to complete the insertion thereof.

A machine of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,697 is presently being manufactured and sold by NB Jackets Corp. of woodside, New York, the machine being described in the Operators Manual for Reader Filler Model 1600 published by this company.

The operation of this reader-filler machine is satisfactory for microfilm having a standard thickness of 5 /2 mils, for such film is relatively stiff and lends itself readily to handling and insertion by the machine. But the recent trend is toward thinner film of3 mils or less, for with a thinner film a greater footage offilm may be carried on a standard reel, thereby enlarging the capacity of the microfilm system and reducing storage cost.

The use of very thin microfilm creates difficulties in film insertion, for such film is somewhat lacking in stiffness and is relatively limp. When, therefore, one seeks to push the tail end of the thin film into the chamber by means ofa reader-filler machine of an existing type, the tail end, because of its limpness, may in some instances flex or curl and flip out of engagement with the pusher, the tail end dropping below the pusher and remaining in the entry slot.

A significant advantage of a microfiche jacket is that it permits updating of the microfiche so that a film section originally inserted in a chamber and not fully occu pying the chamber may, at a later date, be supple mented by another section. But if the first section has its tail end obstructing the slot, it is not possible to make the second insertion.

Another problem encountered when inserting very thin film is that the second film section instead of butting the tail end and pushing the first section down the chamber, may ride over the first insert, so that the two sections are now superposed rather than in line with each other. This results in a defective microfiche.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide a reader-filler machine for efficiently and effectively inserting very thin microfilm strips into a microfiche jacket.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine of the above-noted type which includes an improved pusher arrangement that securely engages the tail end of a film strip and pushes the strip fully into the chamber to an extent clearing the entry slot to permit a subsequent insertion in the same chamber.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above-noted type which includes a clamping element adapted to engage the jacket on the loading platform and to deflect the leading edge of the jacket to facilitate film insertion in the jacket chambers.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above-noted type having an inclined platform for supporting a microfiche jacket to be loaded, the leading edge of the platform being bevelled or cut away and the front end of the jacket being clamped near the leading edge to deflect the front end of the jacket downwardly whereby the entry slots on the jacket are clearly presented to facilitate film insertion and subsequent film pushing operations.

Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a readerfiller machine in which a multi-chamber microfiche jacket to be loaded is supported on a carriage having an inclined platform that is shiftable stepwise in a path at right angles with respect to a film trackway, each chamber having an entry slot adjacent the leading end of the jacket. Disposed in parallel relationship to the trackway is a retractable pusher whereby when the trackway is aligned with a selected microfiche jacket chamber on the platform, the pusher is then in registrar tion with the adjacent chamber. Interposed between the platform and trackway is a film slicer.

After a predetermined section of the film drawn from a film supply reel is advanced by an operator along the trackway into a given chamber aligned therewith through its entry slot, the operator presses a switch to initiate an automatic three-phase cycle in the course of which the slicer is actuated to sever the inserted section from the film on the trackway whereby the tail of the severed section extends outside the slot, then the platform is indexed to shift the given chamber having the inserted film section into registration with the pusher, the adjacent chamber now being aligned with the trackway in readiness for the next insertion. Finally the pusher is actuated to engage the extended tail and to complete the insertion thereof into the chamber.

In order to ensure proper insertion of very thin film, the leading edge of the inclined platform is bevelled or relieved and the front end of the microfiche jacket is deflected and clamped thereto whereby the chamber slots are presented more effectively to the advancing film, the head of the pusher having a projecting catcher which engages the tail of the film section and prevents the tail from dropping below the pusher and blocking the entry slot.

Alternatively, the platform arrangement is such as to cause the front end of the jacket to overhang the leading edge of the jacket which is subjected to action of a clamp causing the front edge of the jacket to deflect downwardly.

In order to prevent a film section being inserted in a chamber from overriding any previously inserted section, a pressure bar is provided which engages the jacket and imposes a pressure on the chamber being filled.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa reader-filler machine in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a plan view ofa standard microfiche jacket;

FIG. 5 is a tranverse section taken in the plane indicated by line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section taken in the plane indicated by lines 77 in FIG. 3, through a loaded microfiche jacket one of whose chambers in engaged by a pressure roll in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the inclined platform having a microfiche jacket placed thereon and a retractable clamp adapted to press the front end of the jacket against the bevelled edge of the platform, the clamp being shown in its retracted position;

FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 8 that here the clamp is shown in its operative position;

FIG. 10 is a section taken in the plane indicated by lines l0l0 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the pusher and the tail of the film section at the moment when the advancing pusher first engages the tail;

FIG. 12 shows the advancing pusher at the moment it reaches the entry notch in the jacket chamber;

FIG. 13 shows the pusher being retracted;

FIG. 14 shows the clamp raised above the jacket to permit removal thereof from the platform;

FIG. 15 is a section view of the retractable pusher;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the pusher;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a modified form of clamp;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the modified clamp;

FIG. 19 is an end view of the modified clamp; and

FIG. 20 shows the relationship between one prong of the modified clamp, the jacket engaged thereby and the platform.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Microfiche Master: Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a micorfiche master is shown, the master being constituted by a transparent multiple-chamber jacket I having parallel channels or chambers A, B, C, D, and E. contained in section E is a microfilm section F, the section having been inserted by means of a reader-filler machine in accordance with the invention. The film sections may be composed of one or more microfilm image frames, depending on how they are cut.

The sections need not be iserted at one time, and in practice, additional sections may be added to supplement an existing record. For example, if each chamber has a capacity of ten film frames, then if the first insert is four frames long, there is still room-for six more frames. It is important, however, that the second film section not override the first for then the microfiche would not be useable. An important aspect of a machine in accordance with the invention is that it facilitates the full insertion of the first section and the subsequent insertion of the second section so that it properly butts the first section.

Jacket J is constituted by two transparent rectangular panels 10 and 11 in superposed relation, the panels being formed of clear, flexible plastic material, such as cellulose acetate, Mylar, or any other suitable sheeting having high tensile strength. Interposed between the top and back panels and adhesively secured thereto are ribs of plastic or paper formed by longitudinally extending narrow ribbons 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and l7,'in parallel reltionship, to difine the chambers A to E which are open at either end. The chambers are of like width to accommodate microfilm sections of a given size, such as 16 mm film.

The back panel is somewhat wider than top panel 11, to provide a marginal extension which is coated with translucent coating 18 for titling the microfiche master. This title will be reproduced in contactprinting, because of the translucency of the coating.

To facilitate insertion of microfilm sections, generally rectangular slots 10A to 10E are cut across the back panel 10 adjacent the front end of the chamber openings. Top panel 11 is of exceptionally thin and clear plastic material (i.e., about I mil or less) to facilitate contact-printing, whereas back panel 10 is preferably of heavier gauge transparent material (i.e., 3 to 5 mils) to give body to the microfiche. The ribs are of substantially the same thickness as the inserted microfilm sections, or slightly thinner, so that no space exists between the top panel and the microfilm insert and the sensitive film is virtually in contact with the microfilm when contact-printing takes place. Since the microfilm to be inserted is relatively thin (i.e., 3 mils or less), the ribs are also thin.

Also provided are two pin-locating holes 19 and 20 which are punched at longitudinally spaced positions between the titling strip 18 and the last rib 17. It is immportant, when inserting microfilm strips, that the jacket on the platform of the film-feeding machine be precisely in parallel relationship with the film path. A slight displacement of the jacket from its proper parallel position makes insertion difficult, for then the strip tends to travel toward one side of the channel rather than through the channel, and jamming occurs. By the use of guide pins on the platform of the film-feeding machine adapted to receive the locating holes 19 and 20, proper registration of the jacket is insured.

While the invention will be described as it operates to fill a microfilm jacket of the above-described type, it will be appreciated that the machine may be used to load other appropriate forms of multi-chambered jack- CIS.

THE READER-FILLER MACHINE General View: Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown an actual embodiment of a reader-filler machine in accordance with the invention. Microfiche jacket] to be filled is placed at a loading station on the inclined platform ofa carriage, generally designated by numeral 21, which is movable in a stepwise manner along a stationary bed 22. A microfilm roll is carried on a spindle-borne reel 23, and drawn therefrom is a continuous film strip 24 which is fed along the trackway 25 of a film-advancing mechanism manually operated by a knob 32, the trackway terminates at a film slitter 26.

Adjacent slitter 26 in parallel relation to the trackway is a pusher assembly, generally designated by numeral 27. The film to be inserted is viewable through an optical system 28 which projects an image on the rear view screen 29 via reflecting mirrors 30 and 31.

In operation, a jacket J to be filled is placed on the platform of carriage 21 and a chamber therein is aligned with the film trackway. The guide holes 19 and 20 on the jacket are placed over guide pins 19A and 19B on the platform to ensure proper positioning of the jacket. The operator, who views the microfilm images adjacent the film slicer 26, turns the knob 32 of the film advancing mechanism to insert into the chamber as many micro-image frames as desired. The operator is able to see on viewing screen 29 the position between the last inserted frame and the succeeding frame, and thereby to line up the film slicer knife midway therebetween.

The operator then presses a switch button 33, which is conveniently located within knob 32, to initiate the operating cycle, wherein: first, the film is sliced, then the platform is indexed to align the chamber having the imcompletely-inserted film with the pusher element and to align the next chamber with the trackway, and finally the pusher is actuated to complete the insertion. A full disclosure of this procedure may be found in the above-identified Operators Manual for Reader-Filler Model 1600.

THE JACKET CLAMP AND PLATFORM: Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the leading edge 21A of the inclined platform on carriage 21 is bevelled or relieved to permit the front end ofjacket J to be deflected downward from the platform. Extending across the platform adjacent the leading edge thereof is a clamp assembly (see FIGS. 1 and 3) constituted by an upwardly-biased clamp bar 34 operated by a lever rod 35 having a handle 36 attached to one end thereof. Secured to the underside of the clamp bar 34 is a row of equi-spaced teeth T T T etc. which lie in registration'with the ribs 12 to 17 in the jacket placed in the platform.

As shown in FIG. 10, these teeth are formed at the front ends of shanks defined by the parallel legs of U- shaped members 37 secured to the underside of clamp bar 34. When the jacket clamp is operative, the legs 37A and 37B engage correspondingly-positioned ribs on the jacket so that the jacket position in the course of loading is firmly maintained.

Thus as shown in FIG. 8, when handle 36 is turned to rotate lever rod 35 to raise clamp bar34, the clamping teeth, such as tooth T are disengaged from the ribs on the jacket, but when as shown in FIG. 9, rod 35 is turned to lower the clamp into engagement with the jacket ribs, then the teeth force the front end of jacket J against the bevelled leading edge 21A of the platform. When this happens, the entry slots of the jacket, such as slot 10A, are bent against the junction of the bevelled leading edge 21A of the platform and the flat surface thereof, as shown in FIG. 9. This more effectively presents the slots to the advancing film whose path extending from the trackway is designated by letter F in FIG. 9. It will be seen that by bending the entry slot, the slot is better exposed to advancing film which passes directly into the associated jacket chamber.

THE PUSHER ASSEMBLY:

This assembly, generally designated in FIG. 1 by numeral 27, as shown in detail in FIGS. 15 and 16 includes a pusher element 38 whose nose 38A is formed to create a projecting ledge or film catcher 39. THe pusherelement is slidable within a guide bed 40 having a pair of side rails 40A and 408, the front portion 40C of the bed having a cam-like formation, so that when the pusher is advanced, the front portion ofthe element which is provided with a dependent cam follower 42 rides up the cam of the bed and extends therefrom toward the entry slot in the chamber of the jacket on the inclined platform which is aligned therewith. The degree to which the element is raised by the cam may be adjusted by means of cam follower 42 which is threaded and is settable.

The pusher element 38 is advanced or retracted by means of a drive pin 41 whose upper end is received in a bore adjacent the rear of the element. In order to hold the pusher element within the guide bed, a clamp 43 is provided which is elevated above the pusher element by a spacer 44, the clamp serving to press the forward end of a flat spring 45 against the pusher element. Thus when the pusher element is advanced and raised, it is subjected to downward spring pressure which serves to hold the element within the guide bed.

We shall now, in connection with FIGs. 11 to 14, consider the sequence of operations which take place after a section of film has been inserted in a given chamber ofjacket J lying on inclined platform 21. The front end of the jacket is deflected below the leading edge 21A of platform 21 by means of clamp 34. The film has been inserted in a given chamber through its entry slot, such as slot D which because of the clamping action is now bent to facilitate insertion and subsequent pushing. After the inserted film section is severed from the film on the trackway, a short tail T extends beyond the entry slot. And since the front end of the jacket is deflected downwardly, the tail T is free and clear of the front end of the jacket, thereby facilitating the subsequent pushing action.

As shown in FIG. 11, when pusher element 38 begins to advance, the end of film tail T is received on the projecting catcher 39 which because of its ledge formation prevents the tail from falling below the pusher. Since the film is very thin and relatively limp, in the absence of the catcher the tail could drop out of engagement with the pusher element, so that it would then fall over and obstruct the entry slot. In this event it would not thereafter be possible to make a second film insertion. But with the catcher, this possibility is avoided.

As the pusher element advances, as shown in FIG. 12, it moves from a position adjacent the front end of the jacket to the entry slot 10D which is inwardly displaced from the front end, the film section being pushed further into the chamber by means of its tail. This pusher movement continues until the tail is inserted fully within the chamber to clear the entry slot.

This is the condition shown in FIG. 13 where the.

pusher element is now returning to its initial position in preparation for the next pushing action. After all film sections have been inserted and tails pushed in, the jacket clamp 34 is raised to release jacket J and permit its removal from the inclined platform.

THE PRESSURE ROLLER When a second section of film is inserted in ajacket chamber already containing a first insert, there is a danger that with very thin film, the second section instead of butting the end of the first section and pushing the first section further into the chamber, might run over and overlap the first section.

To avoid this possibility, the machine includes a pressure roller 46 which, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, is in axial alignment with the particular chamber being filled. Roller 46 may be formed of a series of rings of resilient foam plastic material mounted on a shaft 47 supported on one end from a single bearing 48. Bearing 48 is mounted on bracket 49 attached to the fixed bed of the jacket loading station so that as the platform carriage 21 is indexed, the roller is always in line with the jacket chamber aligned with the trackway for film insertion. In practice, the roller may be formed of neoprene or any other suitable resilient material capable of applying a light pressure on the jacket. MODIFIED CLAMP A modified version of the clamp is shown in FIGS. 17 to 20, the clamp being retractable with respect ot a multi-chamberjacket resting on the loading platform of the machine. The clamp is fabricated from a generally rectangular strip 50, preferably made of clear plastic material, the strip being cut or otherwise formed to define a series of equi-spaced lateral projections 51. Each projection terminates in a downwardly inclined claw 52. When the clamp is pressed by a lever bar or other means against the jacket lying on the platform 53, the claws 52 which are aligned with the parallel ribs on the jacket (see ribs 15 to 17 in FIG. 1), cause the front end of the jacket to deflect downwardly, thereby making the entry slots on the jacket which lie between the ribs more accessible to the advancing film to be inserted. And because of this deflection, after the film cutting action, the tail end of the film insert which is outside of the entry slot does not lie against the jacket end but is free therefrom, thereby facilitating the subsequent pusher action.

Thus as illustrated in FIG. 20, claw 52 engages the front end FE of a multi-chamber jacket, the jacket being so placed on platform 53 whereby its front end overhangs the leading edge of the platform. In this in-v stance, the leading edge of the platform is not bevelled or relieved as in the case of platform 21 in FIG. 8, but has the usual squared-off edge. As a consequence, the overhang of the jacket which is engaged by the claws of the clamp, is deflected downwardly by the claws and the advancing film enters the slot in the guide space defined by a pair of adjacent clamp projections 51.

Lever bar 35 operates in'the same fashion as previously described and serves to press clamp 50 against the jacket. However, the pressure is not directly applied as in the previous clamp embodiment, but through a flat clamping spring 54 which is mounted on a raised shoulder on clamp 50 and is provided with a series of lateral spring metal fingers 55. These fingers are aligned with projections 51 and are sloped downwardly from the shoulder on which the spring is mounted toward the extremities of the projections. Thus a pressure applied to a finger causes it to bow and to apply a pressure on its associated projection which is aligned with a rib on the underlying jacket.

When, therefore, lever bar 35 is manipulated to apply pressure to the fingers 55 extending from clamp spring 54, the fingers in turn apply pressure to the clamp and its projections, thereby causing the desired deflection of the front end of the jacket.

The advantage of this clamping spring arrangement is that pressure is applied to clamp even if the bar is not perfectly straight. In the absence of the clamping spring, an imperfect bar might be effective in some areas but less so in others where the bar is slightly deformed and displaced from the clamp. But with the clamping spring arrangement, adequate pressure at all clamp projections and hence at all rib points is assured.

When the lever bar is operated to relieve the pressure on the clamp, the clamp is retracted with respect to the underlying jacket by means of a pair of spring wings 56 and 57 which are attached to ends of the clamp and are biased to shift the clamp.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that many changes may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for cutting a relatively thin microfilm strip into sections and for inserting these secctions into the chambers ofa protective jacket, each chamber having an inwardly-displaced film entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket, said apparatus comprising:

a. a platform for supporting said jacket,

b. a film advancing mechanism including a trackway for advancing the film strip toward said platform, said platform being inclined relative to said trackway, i

c. retractable clamping means on said platform for engaging said jacket and to deflect the front end thereof downwardly whereby the entry slots on the jacket are more accessible to an advancing film,

d. means to index the position of said platform relative to said trackway to register the film strip in said trackway with successive entry notches on said jacket, whereby a section of said strip may be inserted into a particular chamber, and

e. a cutter interposed between said platform and said trackway to sever the inserted section from said strip, the tail end of said section being free relative to the deflected front end of said jacket.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform has a leading edge which is relieved to accomodate the deflection of said jacket front end.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jacket is placed on said platform with its front end overhanging the leading edge of the platform to permit de' flection of said overhang.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 1, futher including a pusher adjacent said trackway in registration with the film entry slot adjacernt that entry slot then in alignment with the trackway whereby when the platform is' indexed, the tail extending from that entry slot as a result of the severing action is now in line with the pusher which is adapted to push the tail into the chamber.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 1, futher including optical means to project an image of said cutter and the adjacent frame image on said strip onto a viewing screen to verify the section to be inserted.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 1, further including means to apply pressure to the jacket chamber being filled to prevent a later-inserted film section from overriding a previously-inserted section.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pressure applying means is a pressure roller mounted for rotation at a position above said platform.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pusher includes a nose having a catcher formation to engage the end of said tail and to prevent it from dropping below said pusher.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jacket is formed by two superposed panels which are held together by a series of parallel ribs which define said chambers, and said clamping means include a series of parallel teeth which when the clamping means is operative, apply pressure to said ribs.

10. In a machine for inserting a relatively thin microfilm strip into the chambers of a jacket formed by two superposed panels of transparent material which are held together by a series of parallel ribs to define said chambers, each chamber having an entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket, said machine comprising an inclined platform to support said jacket for film insertion with respect to a horizontal film trackway, and

means on said platform to deflect the front end of said jacket downwardly to facilitate film entry in said slots. 1l.ln a machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said jacket has location holes in the margin thereof and said platform has guide pins insertable in said holes.

12. In a machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said deflection means is constituted by a clamp having projecting teeth which engage the ribs of said jacket.

13. In a machine as set forth in claim 12, further including a rotatable lever bar which in one angular position forces said clamp against said jacket and in another angular position relieves said pressure.

14. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, further including a clamping spring interposed between the bar bar pressure is relieved to retract said clamp.

l l= l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIQN PATENT NO. 3,872,645 DATED 1 March 25, 1975 lNVENTOR(S) I Isidore Dorman is certrfied that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 15 "accomodate" should have read -accommodate Column 2, line 25 "woodside" should have read Woodside- Column 3, line 56 "to action" should have read to the action Column 4, line 14 "in" should have read is Column 4, line 20 after "8" exceptshould have been inserted Column 4, line 44 "micorfiche" should have read -microfiche-- Column 4, line 47 "contained" should have read Contained Column 4, line 52 "iserted" should have read inserted-+ Column 4, line 61 "first section" should have read first film section-- should have read Column 5, line 5 "difine" should have read -define Column 5, line 32 "immportant" should have read -important-- Column 6, line 14 "imcompletely" should have read -incompletely- Column 6, line 60 "THe" should have read The Column 8, line 59 "to clamp" should have read -to the clamp' Column 9, line 9 "secctions" should have read -sections-- Column 9, line 32 "accomo-" should have read accommo- Column 9, line 40 "adjacernt" should have read adjacent (SEAL) Attest:

RUTH C. Attesti Signed and sealed this 27th day of May 1975.

I' 'IASON ng Officer 

1. A machine for cutting a relatively thin microfilm strip into sections and for inserting these secctions into the chambers of a protective jacket, each chamber having an inwardly-displaced film entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket, said apparatus comprising: a. a platform for supporting said jacket, b. a film advancing mechanism including a trackway for advancing the film strip toward said platform, said platform being inclined relative to said trackway, c. retractable clamping means on said platform for engaging said jacket and to deflect the front end thereof downwardly whereby the entry slots on the jacket are more accessible to an advancing film, d. means to index the position of said platform relative to said trackway to register the film strip in said trackway with successive entry notches on said jacket, whereby a section of said strip may be inserted into a particular chamber, and e. a cutter interposed between said platform and said trackway to sever the inserted section from said strip, the tail end of said section being free relative to the deflected front end of said jacket.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform has a leading edge which is relieved to accomodate the deflection of said jacket front end.
 3. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jacket is placed on said platform with its front end overhanging the leading edge of the platform to permit deflection of said overhang.
 4. A machine as set forth in claim 1, futher including a pusher adjacent said trackway in registration with the film entry slot adjacernt that entry slot then in alignment with the trackway whereby when the platform is indexed, the tail extending from that entry slot as a result of the severing action is now in line with the pusher which is adapted to push the tail into the chamber.
 5. A machine as set forth in claim 1, futher including optical means to project an image of said cutter and the adjacent frame image on said strip onto a viewing screen to verify the section to be inserted.
 6. A machine as set forth in claim 1, further including means to apply pressure to the jacket chamber being filled to prevent a later-inserted film section from overriding a previously-inserted section.
 7. A machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pressure applying means is a pressure roller mounted for rotation at a position above said platform.
 8. A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said pusher includes a nose having a catcher formation to engage the end of said tail and to prevent it from dropping below said pusher.
 9. A machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said jacket is formed by two superposed panels which are held together by a series of parallel ribs which define said chambers, and said clamping means include a series of parallel teeth which when the clamping means is operative, apply pressure to said ribs.
 10. In a machine for inserting a relatively thin microfilm strip into the chambers of a jacket formed by two superposed panels of transparent material which are held together by a series of parallel ribs to define said chambers, each chamber having an entry slot adjacent the front end of the jacket, said machine comprising an inclined platform to support said jacket for film insertion with respect to a horizontal film trackway, and means on said platform to deflect the front end of said jacket downwardly to facilitate film entry in said slots.
 11. In a machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said jacket has location holes in the margin thereof and said platform has guide pins insertable in said holes.
 12. In a machine as set forth in claim 10, wherein said deflection means is constituted by a clamp having projecting teeth which engage the ribs of said jacket.
 13. In a machine as set forth in claim 12, further including a rotatable lever bar which in one angular position forces said clamp against said jacket and in another angular position relieves said pressure.
 14. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, further including a clamping spring interposed between the bar and the clamp. The spring having spring fingers which are aligned with said teeth.
 15. In a machine as set forth in claim 13, wherein said clamp is provided with lift springs which act when said bar pressure is relieved to retract said clamp. 